Protective body armor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion is disclosed. In at least one embodiment a protective body armor includes: a shell adapted to couple to at least one upper body plate, to cover the head and neck, to allow normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the at least one upper body plate once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; and a skull pad for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for coverage of the skull area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technology described herein relates generally to the fields of head, neck, back, and spine protection devices. More specifically, this technology relates to an apparatus and associated methods for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In activities and events such as football, high performance racing, contact sports, and the like, head, neck, spine and related injuries can occur. Devices are known in the background art to protect the head from direct impact. By way of example, football helmets and racing helmets are known. However, many deficiencies and shortcomings exist with known devices, systems, and methods. Therefore, it is desired to have an improved protective body armor device, system, and associated methods to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like.

Related patents known in the art include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,510, issued to Hubbard on Jan. 27, 1987, discloses a neck protection device with occupant of a high performance vehicle; U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,566, issued to Hubbard on Jan. 4, 2000, discloses a head and neck support for racing.

The foregoing patent and other information reflect the state of the art of which the inventor is aware and are tendered with a view toward discharging the inventor's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be pertinent to the patentability of the technology described herein. It is respectfully stipulated, however, that the foregoing patent and other information do not teach or render obvious, singly or when considered in combination, the inventor's claimed invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides an apparatus and associated methods for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth.

In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides protective body armor for head, neck, and spine protection. The protective body armor includes: a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to at least one upper body plate and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the at least one upper body plate once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; and at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area. In various embodiments, the shell can be one or more of carbon fiber and a lightweight metal.

The protective body armor also can include at least one retainer disposed upon the shell and configured to couple the shell to the at least one upper body plate.

The protective body armor further can include a protective visor disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility.

The protective body armor also can include a grill disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility.

The protective body armor further can include at least one aperture disposed within the shell and adapted to provide ventilation and visibility.

The protective body armor also can include a contoured edge disposed upon a base of the shell and adapted to provide a contoured fit to the at least one upper body plate.

In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a protective body armor system for head, neck, and spine protection. The protective body armor system includes: an upper body plate assembly adapted to protect the upper body, shoulders, collar bone area, upper back, and spine of a user; a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to the upper body plate assembly and to cover the head and neck of the user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the upper body plate assembly once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; a retainers configured to couple the shell to the upper body plate assembly; and at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area.

The upper body plate assembly can further include one or more of protective shoulder plates, protective back plates, and protective spine plates.

The retainers can further include latches disposed upon the shell and lock fasteners disposed on the upper body plate assembly and configured to couple to and lock the latches to hold the shell securely to the upper body plate assembly.

The retainers can further include at least one interlocking hinge with a first portion of the interlocking hinge disposed upon the shell and a second portion of the interlocking hinge disposed upon the upper body plate assembly such that the shell remains coupled to the upper body plate assembly and the shell is hingedly pivoted to open.

The protective body armor system also can include a protective visor disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user, and through which a user sees.

The protective body armor system further can include a grill disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user, and through which a user sees.

The protective body armor system also can include at least one aperture disposed within the shell and adapted to provide ventilation and visibility.

The protective body armor system further can include a contoured edge disposed upon a base of the shell adapted to provide a contoured fit to the upper body plate assembly.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a method of providing head, neck, and spine protection with protective body armor. The method includes: providing an upper body plate assembly adapted to protect the upper body, shoulders, collar bone area, and upper back of a user; providing a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to the upper body plate assembly and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the upper body plate assembly once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; providing a plurality of retainers configured to couple the shell to the upper body plate assembly; providing at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area; positioning the upper body plate on the shoulders of the user; positioning the at least one skull pad upon the head of the user; positioning the shell over the head and neck of the user; and fastening the shell to the upper body plate assembly.

In this method the upper body plate assembly also can include a plurality of protective shoulder plates, a plurality of protective back plates, and a protective spine plate. The method also includes protecting the head, neck, and spine by dissipating energy from and impact to the shell to the upper body plate assembly shoulder plates, back plates, and spine plate.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein.

Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a protective body armor, illustrating, in particular, a shell secured to a shoulder plate assembly and further illustrating back and spine plates, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the protective body armor depicted in FIG. 1, illustrating, in particular, the shell hingedly coupled to back plates, and further illustrating shoulder and spine plates, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective body armor depicted in FIG. 1, illustrating, in particular, the shell hingedly coupled to back plates and tilted backwardly, and further illustrating shoulder, back, and spine plates, as we as skull pads, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shell of the protective body armor, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shell of the protective body armor, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the shell depicted in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the shell of the protective body armor, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides an apparatus and associated methods for protective body armor to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, protective body armor 10 for head, neck, back, and spine protection is shown. The protective body armor 10 is configured to protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and like injuries and complications, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion by the wearer of the protective body armor 10 in contact sports, high performance racing, and the like.

The protective body armor 10 includes a shell 12. The shell 12 resembles a “cage” or “helmet-like” device to be worn over the head and neck like a helmet, but with additional functionality not provided by or capable with known helmets or like headgear. The shell 12 can be manufactured from carbon fiber, a lightweight metal, or like durable material that is sufficient to protect the wearer.

The shell 12 is adapted to couple rigidly and removably to at least one upper body plate (such as one or more plates of the upper body plate assembly 16 discussed below) and to cover the head and neck of the user.

The shell 12 is configured to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the interior space of the shell 12. However, the shell 12 is configured specifically and intended to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range. As such, the limitations placed on movement of the user thereby protect the head, neck, and spine from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion.

The shell 12 does not move relative to at least one upper body plate (such as one or more of the upper body plate assembly 16) once rigidly coupled to at least one upper body plate. As such, the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell 12.

In at least one embodiment, the shell 12 further includes a contoured edge disposed upon a base of the shell 12. The contoured edge is adapted to provide a contoured fit to the at least one upper body plate.

The protective body armor 10 includes at least one skull pad 32. The skull pad 32 is adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell 12 and for padded coverage of the skull area.

The skull pad 32 can include one or more pads. The skull pad 32 can be configured as a pull over “mask” similar to a ski-mask, but with pads included, such as for example but not limited to, shock-absorbing pads. The skull pad 32, or cap, is configured to be lightweight, yet very strong and durable. The skull pad 32 is configured to be high-impact absorbable. The skull cap 32 is preferably manufactured from a comfortable, breathable material.

The protective body armor 10 includes at least one retainer disposed upon the shell 12 and configured to couple the shell 12 to the at least one upper body plate (such as one or more of the upper body plate assembly 16).

In at least one embodiment, the at least one retainer includes latches 26 disposed upon the shell 12 and a lock fasteners 28 disposed on the upper body plate assembly 16. The lock fasteners 28 are configured to couple to and lock the latches 26 to hold the shell 12 securely to the upper body plate assembly 16. As shown in the Figures, the latches 26 and the lock fasteners 28 are utilized on front pectoral regions portions of the upper body plate assembly 16. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, both the quantity and placement locations of the latches 26 and the lock fasteners 28 can vary. By way of example, one embodiment can include a pair of latches 26 and the lock fasteners 28 on a front side of the upper body plate assembly 16 and a second pair of upper body plate assembly 16 on a rear side of the upper body plate assembly 16.

In at least one alternative embodiment, the at least one retainer includes at least one interlocking hinge 30. In one configuration, a first portion of the interlocking hinge 30 is disposed upon the shell 12 and a second portion of the interlocking hinge 30 disposed upon the upper body plate assembly 16 such that the shell 12 remains coupled to the upper body plate assembly 16 and the shell 12 is hingedly pivoted to open. As shown in the Figures, interlocking hinges 30 are placed upon a rear or back side of the upper body plate assembly 16. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, both the quantity and placement locations of the hinges 30 can vary. In at least one embodiment, no hinges 30 are utilized, and the shell 12 is secured to the upper body plate assembly 16 only with the latches 26 and the lock fasteners 28.

In at least one embodiment, the protective body armor 10 further includes a protective visor 14. The protective visor is disposed upon the shell 12 and is adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide broad visibility.

In at least one embodiment, the protective body armor 10 further includes at least one grill (such as upper grill 34 or lower grill 36, for example). The grill 34, 36 is disposed upon the shell 12 and is adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility. By way of example, upper grill 34 can be utilized to primarily protect the eyes while allowing for generally unobstructed vision. Also, by way of example, the lower grill 36 can be utilized to primarily protect the lower facial regions, such as the nose, mouth, chin, and so forth, while allowing for unobstructed breathing and movement. The upper grill 34 and lower grill 36 can each be manufactured of a durable lightweight metal, for example. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in eth art upon reading this disclosure, alternative materials can be utilized so long as they provide the same or greater levels of protection, ventilation, and visibility to the user of the shell 12.

In at least one embodiment, the protective body armor 10 further includes at least one aperture (such as a primary aperture 38 and/or one or more secondary aperture 40, for example). The aperture 38, 40 is disposed within the shell 12 and is adapted to provide ventilation and visibility. Apertures 38, 40 are specifically depicted in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. By way of example, a primary aperture 38 is adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility. Also by way of example, any secondary aperture 40 is adapted to provide ventilation and increased visibility while still providing protection to the user and structural integrity to the protective body armor 10.

The upper body plate assembly 16 further can include protective shoulder plates, protective back plates, and protective spine plates. Specifically, the upper body plate assembly 16 further can include front plates 20 such as for example chest plates, rear plates 22 such as for example that cover the shoulder blade areas, end plates 18 such as for example that cover the shoulders, and spine plates 24 to protect the spine.

The protective shoulder plates, protective back plates, and protective spine plates can be the collective, coupled arrangement of front plates 20, end plates 18, rear plates 22, and spine plates 24. Alternatively, the front plates 20, end plates 18, and rear plates 22 can be integrally formed. Alternatively, the front plates 20, end plates 18, and rear plates 22, and spine plates 24 can be integrally formed.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a method of providing head, neck, and spine protection with protective body armor 10. The method includes: providing an upper body plate assembly 16 adapted to protect the upper body, shoulders, collar bone area, and upper back of a user; providing a shell 12 adapted to couple rigidly and removably to the upper body plate assembly 16 and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell 12, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell 12 does not move relative to the upper body plate assembly 16 once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell 12; providing a plurality of retainers 26, 28 configured to couple the shell 12 to the upper body plate assembly 16; providing at least one skull pad 32 adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell 12 and for padded coverage of the skull area; positioning the upper body plate assembly 16 on the shoulders of the user; positioning the at least one skull pad 32 upon the head of the user; positioning the shell 12 over the head and neck of the user; and fastening the shell 12 to the upper body plate assembly 16.

In this method the upper body plate assembly 16 also can include a plurality of protective front plates 20, a plurality of protective shoulder plates 18, a plurality of protective back plates 22, and a protective spine plate 24. The method also includes protecting the head, neck, and spine by dissipating energy from and impact to the shell to the upper body plate assembly shoulder plates, back plates, and spine plate.

In use the protective body armor 10 provides protection to the head, neck, and spine of the wear from impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like, while allowing for normal physiologic movement and range of head and neck motion in high performance racing, football, and so forth. The shell 12 removably attaches to the upper body plate assembly 16 and provides protection to the head and neck. The shell allows normal physiologic movement and range of the head and neck. The shell 12 will disallow movement of the head and neck beyond normal movement and range. The shell 12 protects the head from direct blows, impacts, and the like, and dissipates energy into the shoulder plates 18, front plates 20, rear plates 22, and spine plates 24. The shell 12 aids in the protection of the spine from injuries, impaction, lateral extension, hyperflexion, hyperextension, and the like. The shell 12 provides excellent visibility while in use by the wearer. The upper body plate assembly 16 protects the upper body and chest and provides a base and foundation for the shell 12 to couple. The spine plate 24 aids in dissipating energy from direct blows and impacts along the entire plate. The spine plate 24 allows for normal physiologic flexion and extension, but without hyperextension.

Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

1. A protective body armor for head, neck, and spine protection, the protective body armor comprising: a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to at least one upper body plate and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the at least one upper body plate once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; and at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area.
 2. The protective body armor of claim 1, further comprising: at least one retainer disposed upon the shell and configured to couple the shell to the at least one upper body plate.
 3. The protective body armor of claim 1, further comprising: a protective visor disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility.
 4. The protective body armor of claim 1, further comprising: a grill disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user and to provide visibility.
 5. The protective body armor of claim 1, further comprising: at least one aperture disposed within the shell and adapted to provide ventilation and visibility.
 6. The protective body armor of claim 1, further comprising: a contoured edge disposed upon a base of the shell and adapted to provide a contoured fit to the at least one upper body plate.
 7. The protective body armor of claim 1, wherein the shell is comprised of a carbon fiber.
 8. The protective body armor of claim 1, wherein the shell is comprised of a lightweight metal.
 9. A protective body armor system for head, neck, and spine protection, the protective body armor system comprising: an upper body plate assembly adapted to protect the upper body, shoulders, collar bone area, upper back, and spine of a user; a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to the upper body plate assembly and to cover the head and neck of the user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the upper body plate assembly once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; a plurality of retainers configured to couple the shell to the upper body plate assembly; and at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area.
 10. The protective body armor system of claim 9, wherein the upper body plate assembly further comprises a plurality of protective shoulder plates.
 11. The protective body armor system of claim 9, wherein the upper body plate assembly further comprises a plurality of protective back plates.
 12. The protective body armor system of claim 9, wherein the upper body plate assembly further comprises a protective spine plate.
 13. The protective body armor system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of retainers further comprises a plurality of latches disposed upon the shell and a plurality of lock fasteners disposed on the upper body plate assembly and configured to couple to and lock the latches to hold the shell securely to the upper body plate assembly.
 14. The protective body armor system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of retainers further comprises at least one interlocking hinge with a first portion of the interlocking hinge disposed upon the shell and a second portion of the interlocking hinge disposed upon the upper body plate assembly such that the shell remains coupled to the upper body plate assembly and the shell is hingedly pivoted to open.
 15. The protective body armor system of claim 9, further comprising: a protective visor disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user, and through which a user sees.
 16. The protective body armor system of claim 9, further comprising: a grill disposed upon the shell and adapted to protect the eyes and facial area of the user, and through which a user sees.
 17. The protective body armor system of claim 9, further comprising: at least one aperture disposed within the shell and adapted to provide ventilation and visibility.
 18. The protective body armor system of claim 9, further comprising: a contoured edge disposed upon a base of the shell adapted to provide a contoured fit to the upper body plate assembly.
 19. A method of providing head, neck, and spine protection with protective body armor, the method comprising: providing an upper body plate assembly adapted to protect the upper body, shoulders, collar bone area, and upper back of a user; providing a shell adapted to couple rigidly and removably to the upper body plate assembly and to cover the head and neck of a user, to allow the user normal physiologic movement and range of the head and the neck within the shell, and to prevent movement beyond the normal movement and range, wherein the shell does not move relative to the upper body plate assembly once rigidly coupled and the farthest distance the head can move upon an impact to the user is within a boundary of the shell; providing a plurality of retainers configured to couple the shell to the upper body plate assembly; providing at least one skull pad adapted for wear by the user directly upon the head within the shell and for padded coverage of the skull area; positioning the upper body plate on the shoulders of the user; positioning the at least one skull pad upon the head of the user; positioning the shell over the head and neck of the user; and fastening the shell to the upper body plate assembly.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper body plate assembly further comprises a plurality of protective shoulder plates, a plurality of protective back plates, and a protective spine plate, the method further comprising: protecting the head, neck, and spine by dissipating energy from and impact to the shell to the upper body plate assembly shoulder plates, back plates, and spine plate. 